Orioles off to 1-0 start thanks to clutch performances from Cowser, Stallings, & McSweeney
*Cover Photo Credit: John Topoleski
Orioles Magic is officially back. The Orioles took the field for the first time yesterday as they took on the Boston Red Sox in the Spring Training opener.
On a windy Saturday afternoon, the home crowd at Ed Smith Stadium was treated to a 4-3 win against the division rivals as Corbin Burnes threw a shutout top of the first inning and former top prospect Adley Rutschman both homered and caught Red Sox slugger Bobby Dalbec trying to steal.
However, the win was highlighted by some contributions from some of the Orioles’ non-roster invites and top prospects. Here is who stood out from yesterday’s game.
Colton Cowser, OF

Cowser’s audition for the fourth outfield spot is off to a great start. The 23-year-old had one at-bat for the Orioles yesterday, and it ended with a walk-off 2-run home run off Nate Tellier to win the game. He took a high fastball to left-center field into the picnic porch and was then mobbed by his teammates at home plate.
That is how Cowser, MLB Pipeline’s 19th best prospect, is built offensively. Aside from being an on-base machine, he is very good at taking the ball to all fields. He is not afraid to go the opposite way, as he showed with yesterday’s home run, and he takes the pitch where it is placed. Cowser is one of the most exciting all-around polished hitters that I’ve seen develop in baseball in recent years.
If he makes the Opening Day roster, then Cowser will look for a strong MLB campaign in 2024. He got off to a rough start in 26 big league games last year, hitting just .115 (7-for-77) with 4 RBIs. That is a small sample size, however, as a full season with consistent reps and action against quality MLB pitching will give him time to settle in and show what the real deal Colton Cowser is all about.
So far, so good.
Garrett Stallings, RHP
Spring Training allows opportunities for teams to see different arms and extend innings and pitch counts. Manager Brandon Hyde put 26-year old righty Garrett Stallings in for three innings yesterday, and Stallings turned in a very nice outing.

Wearing number 96 on his back, the Virginia native did not allow a run during those three innings. He only walked one batter and gave up just two hits. What is even more impressive is that he needed just 38 pitches and for three innings, that is very efficient.
Stallings mixed in a bit of everything, hitting his spots with fastballs and changeups while working sliders low and in on lefties, low and away to righties. His fastball sat in the low to mid 90s with movement.
Stallings is competing to find his way onto the big league roster. A former 5th rounder of the Angels, he has been with the Orioles’ organization since 2021, when he was a part of the Jose Iglesias trade. He won’t necessarily strike a ton of guys out, but he will induce soft contact and use the defense behind him to his advantage. Stallings, an innings eater, would make a great middle or long reliever out of the Orioles’ bullpen, and he could give Hyde a spot start if need be.
Morgan McSweeney, RHP
McSweeney pitched the top of the ninth inning for the Orioles, tossing a scoreless inning and collecting the win. After allowing a walk earlier in the inning, he used a well-spotted low-and-away breaking ball to get top prospect Red Sox infield Nick Yorke to ground into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. He threw to non-roster invite catcher Silas Ardoin.
McSweeney, 26, contributed to the Tides’ Triple-A Championship team in 2023. A former 17th rounder of the Orioles in 2019, he threw 46 innings at the Triple-A level, striking out 46 batters and posting a 1.500 WHIP. The righty is competing to eventually add his name to the 40-man roster and contribute out of the Orioles’ bullpen this season.
Today
The Orioles travel to LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida today to face the Pittsburg Pirates. Cole Irvin will start for the Orioles, as Mitch Keller will go for the Bucs. First pitch is at 1:05 pm. Stay alert for updates on standout performances from the team’s top prospects and non-roster invites.
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